Chemical engineer Paruchuri Mallik booked for spreading fear about COVID-3rd wave

Hyderabad: The Sultan Bazar police booked a criminal case against chemical engineer Paruchuri Mallik for fear-mongering.

The case was based on a complaint filed by Telangana Director Public Health, G Srinivas Rao. The complaint read, "On 8 June, Paruchuri Mallik participated in a TV talk show and passed comments which are highly objectionable in nature in terms of medical ethics. Regarding the third wave, his comments might lead to panic among the general public. The man is not an expert and he had said that 'every house will see a death and the virus will destroy the body'." The DPH further added, "No institution/individual (globally) has any experience/scientific prediction regarding impending third wave, its effects on families and children."

Based on the complaint, the Sultan Bazar police has booked Paruchuri Mallik under Section 54 of Disaster Management Act and 505 (B) of the Indian Penal Code.

Director of Medical Colleges, Dr Ramesh Reddy said, "In these testing times spreading fear is unfounded. The man has no scientific backing to make that claim. Passing such comments in the media will adversely affect the psychology of the general public. Such cheap publicity is nothing but a gross criminal act."

Dr Srinivas Rao reiterated that the state is prepared for the third wave. The state is well equipped with hospital beds, medicines, oxygen, manpower and more. The COVID-19 cases might further fall in another week. "The state has been able to tackle the second wave in three months," Dr Ramesh Reddy said. Officials appeal to the public to not fall for fear-mongering.